Summer in Maine is often warm and sunny, but cold fronts are common and these bring wind and rain. Out on the water, the air stays cool and moist so warm, quick drying clothing is essential. The sun can be intense making sun protection (sun screen & clothing) very important. Temperatures at night can drop to the 40s and even lower in May and September. Daytime temperatures range from the 50s to the 80s.
Bringing the required clothing on your course is crucial to being prepared for ALL the weather conditions you may encounter. On expedition, you carry a lot less than when you travel in the regular world. The clothing on this list is designed to keep you warm if it is cold or wet and be flexible enough to allow you to pack away items if it is hot. Please bring everything on the list.
Packing several light layers rather than fewer heavier layers allows you more flexibility as the weather and workloads change. Inner layers should fit closely, middle layers should fit loosely and outer layers should be just a little bit baggy. When shopping or packing, it is a good idea to try on your layers together.
Before your expedition, your instructors will check your gear; they will assess your clothing with the actual route and the anticipated weather in mind. Items you don’t take on expedition will be stored safely at base. We suggest leaving the tags on any items you purchase in case you don’t actually pack them for expedition, but please note that you should check with each store to see what their return policies are. If there are items that you would like to bring but which are not mentioned on this list, feel free to call and ask your course advisor at 855-802-0307.
Please note that Outward Bound provides all other equipment including (but not limited to) sleeping bags & pads, backpacks or duffel bags, dry bags, lifejacket (Personal Flotation Device), and foul weather gear. There are no additional fees for the use of our equipment.
You are welcome to bring extras of the items marked with a plus (+) sign. There are multiple brand name options available at varying prices. The clothing and equipment on this list is widely available in many places. Specialty outdoor stores like L.L.Bean, REI, Campmor and Eastern Mountain Sports will have a range of appropriate items to choose from. Discount retailers, like Sierra Trading Post and the REI Garage often have good prices on name brand gear and clothing. You may also locate many first- quality clothing and equipment items at military surplus stores and area consignment stores and thrift stores, such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army. Please contact your course advisor for suggestions.
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TOPS |
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2 |
LONG UNDERWEAR TOPS |
Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight. |
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2 |
SPORTS BRAS (as needed) |
Quick-drying synthetic bras. |
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2-3 |
SYNTHETIC T-SHIRTS |
Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester but all synthetics dry faster. One could be a tank top. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options! |
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1-2 |
COTTON T-SHIRTS |
Nice for dry weather or for sleeping in. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options! |
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1 |
WARM FLEECE JACKET OR WOOL SWEATER |
Thick: 300-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options! |
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1 |
FLEECE OR WOOL SHIRT OR VEST |
Can be 100- or 200-weight Polartec or equivalent in wool or pile. |
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1 |
LONG-SLEEVED, LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRT |
Old loose fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores have the best and brightest selection! Can be cotton. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options! |
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1 |
HOODED RAIN JACKET |
Can be Gore-Tex/ coated nylon. Ensure seams are taped/welded. |
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BOTTOMS |
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4-7 |
UNDERPANTS |
Synthetic fabrics work best but cotton is okay. |
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2 |
LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOMS |
Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight. |
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1 |
QUICK-DRY PANTS |
Loose-fitting, lightweight nylon fabric dries quickly. |
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1 |
SHORTS |
Loose-fitting, quick-drying athletic shorts. |
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1 |
SWIM WEAR |
One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts |
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1 |
RAIN PANTS |
Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak. |
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HEAD, HANDS and FEET |
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1 |
SUN HAT |
For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options! |
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1 |
HEAD NET |
Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land. HERE is a good example. |
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1 |
WINTER HAT |
Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options! |
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3-4 |
SOCKS |
Thick: wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON. |
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2-3 |
LINER SOCKS |
Thin synthetic socks that can be layered under thick socks for additional warmth or blister protection. |
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1 |
RUNNING SOCKS |
Synthetic sock |
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1 |
TRAIL SNEAKERS |
Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear with rugged soles. For running and light hiking. |
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1 |
CROCS (or similar) or WATER/RIVER SANDALS |
Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap, or: WATER SANDALS: Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers. |
| 1 | EXTRA SNEAKERS | Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear (Can be an old pair) |
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| 2 | HAND SANITIZERS | Pocket-sized squeeze bottles of hand sanitizer | |||
| 1 | HEADLAMP AND BATTERIES | Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course. Many headlamp varieties offer a red-light mode for preserving night vision, which is a useful option. | |||
| 2 | WATER BOTTLES (WIDE-MOUTH) | 32 oz. water bottles. Wide-mouth makes filling easier. | |||
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1 |
PACK TOWEL |
A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton. | |||
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1 |
SARONG or NON-FITTED TWIN BED SHEET |
A length of very light cotton or rayon (3’ x 7’) to wrap around yourself while changing clothes. | |||
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1 |
SUNGLASSES |
Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them. |
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| 1 | WATCH |
Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch and alarm are useful functions. |
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2 |
EYEGLASS SYSTEM (if needed) |
Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses. |
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1 |
JOURNAL / NOTEBOOK |
Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5" x 8 1/2" or smaller.) |
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1 ea |
BOWL AND SPOON |
Bowl can be wood or tough plastic; having a secure lid for it has been very helpful. Spoon can be metal or plastic. |
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1+ |
BANDANNAS |
Useful for shading your neck from the sun, cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more. |
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2-3 |
PLASTIC BAGS |
Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items |
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1 |
TOILET KIT (BASIC) |
Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, comb, brush, and dental floss. Don’t bring soap, deodorant, makeup or razor. |
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DISPOSABLE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS |
An ample supply. Changes in diet/ activity can change your cycle. |
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1-2 |
SUNSCREEN |
8-oz, minimum SPF 30. Do not bring aerosol sprays. |
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2 |
LIP BALM |
Minimum SPF 30 |
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2 |
INSECT REPELLENT |
Bring small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET. No aerosol spray. |
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2 sets |
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS (if needed) |
MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged. |
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1 set |
TRAVEL CLOTHES & COURSE END TOILETRIES |
Clean clothes for the trip home, towel, soap and shampoo for the course end shower. |
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INSURANCE CARD |
If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it. | ||||
| $25-75 CASH, OR A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD | To buy snacks during travel or to pay for lost or damaged gear. Items from the school store will be for sale at the end of course. | ||||
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ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COOLER MONTHS: May, June or September |
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FLEECE VEST OR LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT |
Mid-weight: can be Polartec® fleece, wool, or the equivalent weight shirt or 100- or 200-weight Polartec® vest. |
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MEDIUM WEIGHT PANTS |
Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent |
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MITTENS OR GLOVES |
Can be wool or fleece. |
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BALACLAVA |
A hood-shaped hat that covers your head and neck. You could also bring a neck gaiter and a second hat. |
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